Sheriff: No one in custody

December 10, 2012

SALEM - Despite rumors to the contrary, no one is in custody in connection to the death of Melinda Todd, 43, and her 5-year-old grandson, Cole Reed, both of whom were found in their Salem Township home Monday afternoon.

Although reports were circulating over the weekend that a man had been arrested, Sheriff Ray Stone said Sunday that is untrue.

"No one is in custody. We brought people in Friday and questioned them. No one's been arrested," Stone said.

Some people have already been eliminated as suspects, including the child's father, who was in jail when his son was shot in the head. The alibis of Todd's boyfriend and another friend also checked out, according to Stone earlier in the week.

County Prosecutor Robert Herron had said Wednesday there was a person of interest being investigated and said tips being received have been paying off. He has encouraged anyone who has information on the case to come forward.

Stone said the investigation is continuing and that he had received an update Sunday but that he did not expect anyone to be arrested that day.

Todd was found dead at the scene, although her cause of death has not yet been divulged, and Reed was found critically injured from a gunshot to the side of his head. He has since regained consciousness and has reportedly been making some gestures but not talking.

Investigators hope the boy will be able to help identify the person responsible.